Firing blanks

LATICS’ boss John Sheridan castigated his side following a dismal display in Tuesday’s 2-0 home defeat against Bristol Rovers. Second-half goals from Darryl Duffy and Byron Anthony ensured Rovers did the double over Athletic for the second consecutive season..

ohn Sheridan was less than impressed with his side as they went down 2-0 against Bristol Rovers

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LATICS’ boss John Sheridan castigated his side following a dismal display in Tuesday’s 2-0 home defeat against Bristol Rovers.

Second-half goals from Darryl Duffy and Byron Anthony ensured Rovers did the double over Athletic for the second consecutive season.

The chorus of boos at the final whistle left the players in no doubt what the majority of the 3,745 fans inside Boundary Park thought of their performance.

Sheridan said: "The goals were diabolical and could easily have been avoided. Players and me as a manager have to look at themselves because there was a chance to gain one or two positions.

"It’s a game we wanted to win. We were on top in the first half, but then we shot ourselves in the foot with a very disappointing second-half performance.

"The second half, I was watching players who couldn’t control or pass the ball. I was expecting us to up our game five or 10 per cent from the first half and win it, but we didn’t cause them a problem."

It might have been different provided Athletic had converted either of the first-half chances that came their way.

The first was on the half-hour when Rovers’ keeper Steve Phillips was deemed to have felled Lee Hughes inside the area, only to save the striker’s spot kick.

Seven minutes before the break, Dean Windass lashed a shot against the bar and Anthony cleared before Hughes could convert the rebound.

Rovers took the lead three minutes into the second period when Duffy’s shot went through Jan Budtz, recalled in place of Greg Fleming.

The lead was doubled 15 minutes later when Budtz made a good point-blank stop to deny Anthony, only for him to tuck the loose ball away.

Hughes’ night had been summed up moments earlier when, eight yards out, he missed his kick from Windass’ cross.